Digital universe expanding by the nanosecond, Who Can I Be Now? [1974-1976] unwinds a tale of the tape – part two. 2015’s 12-CD Five Years 1969-1973 bit off long-players two through six from Great Britain’s extraterrestrial talent, remastering four definitively while also gathering most Ziggy Stardust live accompaniment and a pair of odds and ends discs. Another dozen discs only corral three studio LPs – Diamond Dogs (’74), Young Americans (’75), and Station to Station (’76) – but bulks up on better bonus content. Sorry, did someone say “only”? Not only are these titles among David Bowie’s best – dystopian “Rebel Rebel” rock, Soul Train albinism, and Berlin trilogy precursor, respectively – their refractions here bolster each case. Two mixes of Dogs spin-off David Bowie Live each double disc a tour run-off better appreciated now than then, one brittle, one booming. Americans gives up a shelved alternate titled The Gouster, deeper gospel cabaret than its smash sibling (“Fame”). Station to Station fortunately fairs best, its dizzying space lab R&B (“Golden Years”) tripled by an alternate mix and a 2-CD live reckoning in New York previously available only on the 2007 deluxe reissue. A sole mixes disc tops off the box. Four volumes left, most likely, starting with landmark trilogy Low, Heroes, and Lodger. Station to Station remains their launch pad.
This article appears in December 16 • 2016.
